Anti-harassment committees inactive in RMG industry

Staff Reporter :
The anti-harassment committees are not carrying out their responsibilities in the apparel industry, despite it being the largest industry with a workforce of 3.5 million people, according to a study.

The study titled, “Effectiveness of role played by complaint committee to protect the sexual harassment at workplace” at a city hotel on Monday.

But, the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said that every factory has an anti-harassment committee and the bodies are very much active to handle the situation.

“Ratio of harassment has been declined significantly in the apparel industry in last few years as harassment-free safe workplace is the major requirement of the foreign buyers.

Many buyers monitor the factory environment closely.

So, there is no scope of overlooking this,” BGMEA Vice-President Md Shahidullah Azim told The New Nation on Monday.

“If any apparel worker lodges complain, the anti-harassment committee takes action as per rules,” he added.

According to the study, although there are a total of 2,150 anti-harassment committees in all sectors across the country, there is no specific data regarding the number of anti-harassment committees in the garment industry.

As a result, the garment sector is still lagging behind in ensuring a safe working environment for the female workers, who comprise 60 per cent of the workforce, said Associate professor Mostafiz Ahmed of Jagannath University while unveiling the report.

Despite being subjected to sexual harassment at work, most of the workers do not speak out due to social stigma and the fear of losing their jobs, he added.

He further alleged that the existing laws are also not friendly to women workers.

In order to ensure a safe working environment, the speakers emphasised the proper implementation of the law, changing the attitude of the owners as well as increasing the factory level monitoring by the government.

Shamsun Nahar, Member of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labour and Employment was the chief guest of the event organised by Gender Platform Bangladesh.